The Maldives has reaffirmed its position as a world-class tourism leader, earning an impressive 36 awards at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025. The awards ceremony, held on Friday, 20 September 2025 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo in Sri Lanka, highlighted the nation’s dynamic and diverse tourism offerings.
A standout achievement of the evening was the Maldives winning the Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading Adventure Destination-a milestone that reflects Visit Maldives Corporation’s (VMC) ongoing efforts to broaden the country’s tourism portfolio beyond its globally recognised luxury and leisure segments. In total, the Maldives secured 16 Gold Awards and 19 Silver Awards, demonstrating excellence across a wide range of tourism categories.
The 2025 edition of SATA also hosted the SATA Connect & Conversation panel under the theme Collective Efforts in Tourism. Representing the Maldives, Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of VMC, joined industry leaders including Sanjeev Kumar, President, Voyages Kerala; Taufiq Rahman, Secretary General, PATA Bangladesh Chapter; and Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Senior Director PR and Publicity/Crisis Cell, Nepal Tourism Board. The session was moderated by Ishan Koul of Naaz Hotel Consultants.
During the discussion, Mr. Shiuree underscored the Maldives’ commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and community-driven tourism. He highlighted the rapid rise of local island tourism, noting that guesthouses now account for approximately 24% of national bed capacity, attracting over 300,000 visitors in 2025. He also outlined initiatives empowering local communities through the sourcing of local produce and handicrafts, skills development for youth and women, and the promotion of cultural experiences to protect and showcase Maldivian heritage.
“Tourism growth must be inclusive, sustainable, and regionally connected, ensuring local communities-and the South Asian region as a whole-benefit from shared success,” Mr. Shiuree affirmed. He stressed the importance of regional partnerships, referencing a new Malaysia-Maldives MoU for joint marketing and eco-tourism initiatives, the development of twin-country packages with Sri Lanka and India, and efforts to expand regional air connectivity.
The Maldives’ strong performance at SATA 2025 reinforces the nation’s reputation for excellence in hospitality, product development, and industry innovation-further solidifying its status as one of South Asia’s most admired and competitive tourism destinations.
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